Disc cutters

[Madryn]

Hello
I have 2 disc cutters, neither of which have a clamping mechanism. Recently i’ve had a problem getting a clean cut, one punch even keeps jumping up and out!! I wondered whether I can get the punches sharpened or do I have to bite the bullet and buy a new disc cutter... if so can anyone recommend a modestly priced disc cutter with plates that clamp the together please?

[Ruedeleglise]

Andrew Berry I think has a talk on sharpening the punches.
I have one like yours and found difficulties in cutting neatly so after some looking about I bought a clamping one. I found it on eBay at £79. So far very good. If you do get one do smear some Vaseline around the edge of the cutter. I found this helped no end. Have just looked up on eBay. It looks as if this circular one is one of about 3 on eBay that clamps. It is much cheaper than the Artisan or Durston variety. So far so good.


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[china]

Have look at this with one exception use anything but 3in one (I hate the stuff)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDsefCS3U9g
You can modify the non clamping types but these days you can get the clamping types fairly cheap (as said above) especially as a starter set

[Madryn]

Thank you both for your information, I will look at the sharpening methods but whilst I am a junior member on this site I am very much a senior member everywhere else!! I had bought a cutter from Cousins but it was very different from the photo so I returned it. I will definitely look at the models you suggested. I am willing to pay that sort of price but can’t justify lots more as i’m just a hobby jeweller. Many thanks.

[CJ57]

I wouldn’t go past my Swanstrom, cheaper than Durston who are producing anything they can at a much dearer price. I had to buy it from Rio Grande though so don’t know what the extra shipping costs would be now

[Dennis]

Have look at this with one exception use anything but 3in one (I hate the stuff)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDsefCS3U9g
You can modify the non clamping types but these days you can get the clamping types fairly cheap (as said above) especially as a starter set

That's a good tutorial: not much superfluous waffle. Please note that not many cutting punches have sloping ends, so don't try to introduce one that wasn't there before. Dennis.















irst place. Dennis.

[Madryn]

Hi
I watched the tutorial which was really helpful, I will have a go at doing that today. I expected to have to do something like grinding the edges! However, the tutorial it did recommend a link to Pepetools which may prove too tempting ...... they have a significant discount at the moment........

[china]

I have friend in QLD she makes jewellery for a living and has had the earlier version of this for years and is very happy with it.
https://pepetools.com/collections/cutting-1/products/premium-disc-cutting-kit.

[Madryn]

Hi China

I decided that as i’ve been housebound for much of this year I would treat myself to the Pepe cutter. I ordered it last night and they have shipped it already and it’s now in the UK. amazing! They had a discount and I managed to find a $30 voucher which made it much more affordable. Thank you for your advice. The downside of the Forum is that I can spend far too much time browsing, it’s fascinating!!

[CJ57]

Hi China

I decided that as i’ve been housebound for much of this year I would treat myself to the Pepe cutter. I ordered it last night and they have shipped it already and it’s now in the UK. amazing! They had a discount and I managed to find a $30 voucher which made it much more affordable. Thank you for your advice. The downside of the Forum is that I can spend far too much time browsing, it’s fascinating!!

You’re now on the slippery slope! I blame another forum for tempting me into the Swanstrom disc cutter, my first big spend in decades

[mizgeorge]

I have both the Swanstrom and the Pepe, and other than for very large sizes, the Pepe is my go-to tool. Better range of sizes, I find the clamping mechanism easier and less sticky, and I like the fact that it's hollow, allowing the cut discs to fall away from the hole - which means I can cut multiples without damaging the ones I've already cut.

Helpfully, Suttons (now part of Betts) sell the individual replacement punches for when you manage to kill one!

Have fun with it Madryn - it's a fab tool.

[theresa]

Thank you both for your information, I will look at the sharpening methods but whilst I am a junior member on this site I am very much a senior member everywhere else!! I had bought a cutter from Cousins but it was very different from the photo so I returned it. I will definitely look at the models you suggested. I am willing to pay that sort of price but can’t justify lots more as i’m just a hobby jeweller. Many thanks.

Why not buy the discs ready cut? Cooksons have a good range as well as Bellore Rashbel. It may be more cost effective for you that way.

[Ruedeleglise]

Different thicknesses, different diameters.....I would be bound not to have the ready cut disc when I wanted it.......then to wait a minimum of 2 days before you can get what you want. David


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[CJ57]

I did it a couple of times before I bought one and it was really expensive if you were to do it on a regular basis. I think the size I needed worked out about £1 each

[china]

If you have a disc cutter it also allows you to cut discs from your recycled scrap.

[Ruedeleglise]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210222/349b581d059e80ef51ee10ffd3764382.jpg
Yes that’s what I do with scrap. Cut as many out as possible, texture some , drill a 1.5mm hole towards the edge, dome them and mount them onto a chain as a necklace. I call it a necklace of silver confetti . Rather popular.


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[Dennis]

That's good fun David.